Five good things that happened in trucking this week – March 12

With Daylight Saving Time arriving this weekend, longer, happier days are just around the corner. Trucking has ensured another happy week by serving – and saving – its community. Here are five good things that happened in trucking this week. 

FedEx driver saves woman who crashed into freezing river

A FedEx Express driver saved a woman who had crashed her car into a freezing river, according to CNN.

Brandon Alt said he was just getting started on his delivery route that goes through Truckee, Calif., on March 8 when the car in front of him veered off the road and into the river below.

"As I was following her, she was weaving in and out of the lane," said Alt. "She almost hit two vehicles that were coming in the opposite direction."

The driver of the car was distracted by her phone, according to police. She told them she was going to call a family member to sing "Happy Birthday."

Alt pulled his SUV over on the side of the road, threw his hazard lights on, slid down the embankment and trudged through the icy water to help the woman stuck in her submerging vehicle.

He said he couldn't get the driver's door open so told her to climb into the back seat. "I tried the back door handle and I pulled on it," said Alt. "I thought it was locked at first, but I think it was the current of the water keeping it closed."

Once Alt had the door open, he said water flooded the car instantly. "I didn't know if the vehicle was going to break free and go further down the river," he said.

He helped the woman out of the car and to the embankment where he was able to call 911.

As for Alt, he says he doesn't see himself as a hero. "I was at the right place at the right time," he said. "I hope that anyone else in that situation would have done something similar."

Move for Hunger fights food insecurity while helping people move

Adam Lowy was working at his family's moving company in 2009 when he noticed that many families would leave behind plenty of items — including food. That’s when Move for Hunger was born.

"Moving's stressful, you know?” Lowy told TODAY. “It's not a fun experience, there's a lot going on. And we started by asking a very simple question: 'Do you want to donate your food when you move?'"

Within a month, Lowy and the moving company had donated 300 pounds of food to a local food bank. It was easy for him and other movers to simply collect food and drop it off at the food bank, and Lowy said that it opened his eyes to the need in his area.

Since then, Move for Hunger has only grown. Since 2009, the organization has delivered more than 20 million pounds of food to local food banks, which has provided more than 17 million meals to individuals in need. In 2020, the organization stepped up its efforts as food insecurity increased amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"Before the pandemic, there were 37 million Americans struggling with food insecurity," said Lowy. "Now (there's) 54 million Americans struggling with hunger, which includes one in four children, one in 11 seniors. More than 40% of the people visiting food banks over the last year with new to food banks … It's just become very hard."

To cope with the rising need, Lowy said the organization took a look at its "core capabilities" of logistics and transportation. Move for Hunger connected with farms, retailers, refrigeration companies and more to bring both nonperishable and fresh food to local pantries. In 2020, Move for Hunger organized more than 1,000 food drivers and delivered more than 5 million lbs. of food.

"We've gotten to take the time to know as many food banks and pantries, big and small," Lowy said. "We want to be a partner for them so they can spend more time getting food out the door rather than trying to figure out how they're going to get food in the door. We're 11 years in and I feel like we're just getting started."

Werner truck driver shines a light on veterans in trucking

Cheyenne Martinez came from a family of truckers — her mother is in the business, as was her grandfather. So, when Martinez joined Werner Enterprises’ veteran’s program, she already knew a lot about the industry.

“I went on the road with my mom [growing up], but the program taught me pretty much all the basic skills that I needed to know and then some,’’ said Martinez, who will turn 25 next week. “They give you so much information, and the quality time that you get with your leaders, they really set you up for success.’’

Veterans appeal to the trucking industry as long haulers of their strong value systems, said Jafi Roskey, military and specialized programs manager for Werner Enterprises. Like service members, truckers embark on a mission and are expected to complete it on time and successfully.

“Our industry [is] always looking for truck drivers,’’ Roskey said. “That is a nationwide issue, but the veteran force is especially needed. They served our nation. Why not continue to serve their nation by hauling America’s goods?’’

Werner’s apprenticeship program for veterans is in its 15th year, adding 450 veterans with benefits annually, Roskey said, and is under an umbrella of company initiatives called Operation Freedom.

“Veterans bring that leadership, that can-do attitude,’’ Roskey said. “They’re self-reliant. They need very little supervision to do the tasks that we’re asking them to do. They’ve proven themselves.’’

The program curriculum focuses on day-to-day skills that truckers encounter, including driving in inclement weather and what to do when a rig breaks down. On-the-road driving skills and the proper technique for backing up are stressed. Roskey said that the curriculum is geared toward safety and proficiency. 

“The apprentice program’s completely free to enroll in,’’ Roskey said. “There’s an added benefit for those who are veterans or in the Guard or Reserves. They can use their VA educational benefit for the program for up to 24 months. They can withdraw that for their monthly housing allowance for up to 24 months.’’

“Trucking is a good path for veterans, especially veterans coming from the active-duty side because there are so many ways to travel,’’ Martinez said. “When you’re so used to traveling and you get stuck in one place for too long, you get antsy. You’re so used to go, go, go all the time. [They can] continue their travels throughout the U.S. You get paid at the same time, but it’s not a job. It’s more of a passion at that point.’’

Turtle Wax launches scholarship program

In honor of its 75^th anniversary, Turtle Wax is celebrating its past while laying the groundwork for the next 75 years with the announcement of The Healy Family Scholarship Program.

The Healy Family Scholarship Program will support training and educational opportunities for future detailers and chemists. To start, the brand is donating $75,000 worth of training led by a Turtle Wax International Detailing Association (IDA) Recognized Trainer over the next three years to support and further their careers without the worry of financial investments.

“It’s been an incredible journey over the last 75 years, and I’m so lucky to have had a front-row seat to it all,” said Denis John Healy, executive chairman of Turtle Wax. “The fact that we continue to expand to new channels and territories - yet stay true to our values - and make sure our products continue to be easy to use, are grounded in technology, and always come at a great price, is a testament to the foundation built by my grandparents and parents. I’m honored to continue their legacy and excited for what we have in store for 2021 and beyond.”

UPS employee sees color for the first time in celebration of his retirement

In this heartwarming video, a UPS employee celebrates his retirement after 44 years of service with the ability to see color for the first time in his life.

His friends at UPS purchased EnChroma color blind glasses as his retirement gift. Watch the eye-opening experience below.